Beautiful

As I was standing in front of the mirror the other day I was having one of those, “Ugghh this is as good as it’s going to get” kind of days.  My hair wasn’t working right, I looked tired no matter how much make-up I applied, I was feeling like just, Uhgghh! That’s the best I can explain it. Do you ever have those days?

Suddenly I got a quick flash of a picture of myself in a beautiful wedding gown and a gentle voice whispered to me “This is how I see you every day.”  Tears began to well up in my eyes and I realized something.  He doesn’t see our flaws the way we see them.  He made us.  He made us beautiful.  Each and every one of us. How can the creator of all things that exist, make a mistake? 

Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother’s womb.  

I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking!

    Body and soul, I am marvelously made!
    I worship in adoration—what a creation!
You know me inside and out,
    you know every bone in my body;
You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something.  Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;
    all the stages of my life were spread out before you,
The days of my life all prepared
    before I’d even lived one day. 

PSALM 139:13-16 MSG

 Why do we want to cover up with makeup, something that he created to be so beautiful? Yet, daily we cover up this beauty with makeup? Why? This push to be flawless, when we are already flawless in our Father’s eyes.

Song of Solomon 4:7 ESV

“You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you.”

 He loves you.  He made you the way you are.  Those negative feelings,

those lies, are not truth. They are LIES. They will crush you, deceive you and make you feel small.  That’s right where the enemy wants you.  Our Father wants to encourage, LOVE you & lift you up.  When those negative thoughts start floating in, you know the ones.  The ones that tell you how alone you are, how you can’t do anything right, the voice of comparison telling you everyone else is better than you are, blah, blah. Do you know what do with that nagging voice?  Command it to leave in JESUS name and get excited.  They will leave as fast as the words slip off your tongue.  It’s amazing! With Jesus, your BFF, on your side, you have the power. 

YOU ARE NOT ALONE * YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL* YOU ARE A GREAT MOTHER * YOU ARE A WOMAN OF VALUE *  YOU ARE WORTHY *

* YOU ARE ENOUGH!*

I'm a Terrible Mother

The serpent said to the woman, "You surely will not die!" -Genesis 3:4

VS

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.  -John 6:63

Do you struggle with those negative voices in your head? I hear them ever so often 

"I am a terrible Mother!"

"I am a terrible Wife!"

"I can't keep up with this!"

"I am terrible at my job, anyone else is better at this than me!"

"Who would want to spend time with me?"

Let me tell you, it's not easy dealing with all these yucky words floating around in my head.  I've dealt and am still dealing with this deception. Deception?  Yes we are being deceived.  There is an enemy lurking in our midst and he prides himself in walking all over us and pushing us down in the dirt.  he (that is not a typo) will even use those thoughts to get at others in our lives and push them down in the dirt as well. 

There is Hope. I have learned throughout the years, (took me awhile) to realize that I can throw out those thoughts, knowing where they come from, refuse and rebuke.  I don't have to receive them when I know and understand where they come from. 

We have a friend on our side ladies that wants us to hear His words that are heaping full of LIFE.

The enemy wants us to push us down, Our Savior wants to encourage, strengthen, and teach us. That gives us strength in wisdom in knowing which thoughts are His, and which thoughts are from the enemy.  

So what do I do when I am struggling?

He has given us authority over the enemy.  What I like to do is picture those lies as something I can grasp in my hand, throw it on the ground and stomp it out, and I say a little prayer "I will not receive that lie, Be Gone in Jesus Name, Amen"  Let me tell you it works! 

I am reminded of a verse on my desk that I love to read daily from 1 Peter 5:6-8:

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's Mighty Hand, that He may life you up in due time. Cast All your anxiety on Him because He care for you.  Be self-controlled and alert.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him standing firm in the faith because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings"

He truly wants us to live a life full of His peace and comfort.  Do not receive that junk from the enemy. That only gives the enemy an open door to devour.  When we let those lies go, they no longer has power.  Let the truth reign in you. Lay out all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.  

Father I thank you for each person reading this today. I pray that they will no longer be deceived by the enemy.  Thank you for the authority to stomp out the lies that sometimes consume our thoughts. Thank you for the Life and peace you bring into our lives.  Amen

False Confidence

It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone. Ephesians 1:11-12

I don't know about you, but my high school years were rough on me.  I had lost a dear friend of mine when her family moved away due to a change in her family's business. We did everything together and when she left, I felt completely lost.  I went to church with her, she brought me to her youth group, and when she left, I didn't feel strong in enough in my faith to continue.  Where did I turn? I went through some months of depression and then turned where I felt I was accepted.  I went to a party with a new friend I started hanging out with, and woah, suddenly I was accepted by more and more people. The popular kids were asking me to sit at their table, my confidence soared. But where did that leave me?  In a mess of false confidence and I still felt alone. I was in a whirlwind of disappointment because deep down in my gut, I knew it was wrong.

Not long after that mess I met my husband (high school sweethearts) and things got better as my relationship with the Lord grew once again. Adam and I learned and grew a lot as he was on fire for the Lord and I was hungry to learn.  When we got married, we started a family right away.  After the third kid, I gained some pounds and my confidence started to fall once again.  As my relationship with the Lord was put on hold, I began to lose it. I lost my purpose, I lost my vision for who I was.  I was seeing myself as a mother and wife, and not much more than that. I was feeling as if it was "all there is". I didn't have much confidence in myself as my "mommy brain" was getting the best of me.  My self-esteem was at an all time low as I just was worn out, tired and really bummed about how I looked. 

  
I decided to take a hold of my life and get into shape. Which I was successful at, and let me tell you, my confidence, once again, it soared.  I got so many compliments, and it generally made me happy. For a time....

I began to become obsessed with how I looked, and if I didn't get my workout in, I felt guilty...really guilty.  It was my priority, everything else was second. And after all the hype of my weight loss, where did it leave me? No confidence and somewhat of an eating disorder because I had the lost the missing piece.  

I realized again, that this was false confidence.  Now I'm not saying that getting into shape is a bad thing. As far as my health, it was a great thing. I felt great and had more energy.  I just needed to separate my emotions from my physical health.  Your appearance has nothing to do with your self worth.  Am I glad I got into shape? Absolutely. It's just that I was basing my confidence and my worth on how I looked.  That was the part I had messed up.  My priorities were way out of whack. There is a balance.   

I Love YADA moments, don't you?

So where does REAL confidence come from? Real confidence comes from knowing the purpose for your life.  A real, intimate relationship with your heavenly Father and putting your faith in Him will bring you through the toughest of times. 

Knowing you have Him to lean on, 
Knowing He will give you the desires of your heart
Knowing that even during the toughest of times, He has your back
Knowing that He knows every tear that drops from your eye
Knowing that the creator of the universe, 
The One that placed every star in the sky....He lives in you!

Now That is REAL confidence! Yada, Yada. Yada :)

Dear Lord, thank you for always teaching us. We learn something new everyday and we are so thankful for the many lessons you teach.  Lord help our hearts to be always open and humble to receive and discern your gentle guidance. We love you Father, Amen

Mr. Right, do you know what you are looking for?

Proverbs 19:2

English Standard Version (ESV)

2 

Desire[a] without knowledge is not good,

    and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.

Who are you searching after?  What kind of man are searching for?  Are you looking for the man in shining armor that is going to sweep you off your feet?  The guy that promises you the world?  The guy in all the chick flicks that sees you on a pedestal and all else just fades away. Your one true love, complete with the magical true love's first kiss as we see in every Disney movie that ever existed.  Or are you searching for someone, anyone to be a provider for your family and you'll settle for a man that doesn't treat you the greatest, but at least you'll have some security?? Or maybe you haven't really given much thought to it and don't think your are worthy of a man to treat you good, so again you settle for the guy that's here now?

Why search? Why settle?

Do you think if you aren't searching, you'll never find him?  Do you think you are unworthy of a man who will treat with respect and dignity, but yet deep down its what your longing for?

I understand. I have been in your shoes.  I remember searching not really for a husband, but seeking for a companion whom I thought was charming because that was the thing to do. Dating a guy for a week, oh my, he loves me, oh boy it was meant to be, he sent me flowers, he must really love me, he must really think I'm special....  

I couldn't have been more wrong.  Don't get me wrong I had great parents, but I was super lost in the love department, and tended to just go along with the flow of what everyone else was doing.  

Truth is boys are searching too, but some are searching with wrong intentions.  If he tells you he loves you in a matter of days, chances are, he's after one thing, and I'm sure you know what that one thing is.  Not trying to be critical on boys or men here, those are just my conclusions from my younger years.  If it feels as though he's moving too fast, smooth talking, he loves you to the moon and back, bleh, bleh, bleh, red flag! red flag! red flag! 

BE AWARE, men, 

especially young men are very visual 

and physical beings.  

With that thought in mind, ask yourself,

"Do I dress in a way that is going to attract the kind of man I want in my life?"

When my husband and I found each other, neither of us were searching.  Even after we were dating for a little while, we weren't sure if it was love, but knew we enjoyed each other's company.  We knew there was something, but weren't sure what.  We lived 70 miles apart from each other for 3 years dating.  He didn't tell me he loved me until 5 months after we started dating.  That's when I knew ladies, that he was truly interested in me, and wasn't just trying to lure me in.

So Why search? Why Settle?

    

Are you afraid of being alone? 

You are not alone.  

JESUS is with you 

Lean on Him

He will be your provider

He will give the provisions of not only your emotional needs, 

but your physical needs. (Food, shelter, safety, etc) 

I have a challenge for you ladies.  Instead of searching for Mr. Right, for now, focus on the perfect Man you have right now.  Allow Him to move in your life and fill your needs and empty spots.  The bible promises in Psalm 37:4 that if we take delight in Him, He will give us the desires of our hearts. 

Make a list.  Make a list of characteristics of what you want in a man.  What does that man look like, treat you and your family, what is his work ethic, what are his morals, just to name a few...

What are your desires?  In your heart what do you desire for your husband to be? For you? For the father of your child(ren)?   This is something not to be taken lightly, or to bend on.  What are your desires for your family to look like?  

So stop searching ladies, and start praying.  The right guy will come along, he will be placed in your path and you will know, because you won't be searching for him.  Yet he will be the one for you, if your are diligent.  He will be the one God has found for you. Here are some ideas for prayers for your future husband:

Maybe you had a tough childhood, and wish to break free of that, and want something different for your life.  Let me tell you something    

You can.  

It won't be easy.  It will take a lot prayer, patience, and guidance.  Counseling is a great way to bring new perspective into your life.  If this is something that is on your heart please let one of us at the center know and we can help guide you through this process.   

   

Stop searching, and start praying. He will bring the right man into your life.  How exciting is that?  

Bottom line-Don't be in a rush ladies.  You are worth the wait, and he will wait for you, if he truly loves you.  

Dear Lord

You know the desires of our hearts Lord, even better then we know ourselves.  Help us, remind us to pray our families, for our futures, and future relationships.  Help us to seek you first above all else. Help us to seek out healing in the areas where we maybe hurting.  In your name, Lord Jesus, Amen  

Comfort and Peace

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

 

This week has been a tough week emotionally for me. 

I've had an aching in my chest.  

I miss her.  

I miss talking to her.

My sisters and I were able to go through her things this past weekend after 6 months have passed. I can't believe it has been that long already. Where does the time go?  While rummaging through her things, figuring out what we were going to keep or give away, I couldn't help but smell her clothes, her makeup brush, her lotions, her perfumes.  They all still lingered of her sweet smell.  Her purse still smelled like Wrigley's double mint gum, her favorite. 

I miss her. I miss her sweet presence. 

My son's birthday is on Saturday this week, my mom's is on Sunday.  For the past 11 years, 

we have always celebrated them together.  

I ran into a friend in the parking lot yesterday that I haven't seen in a few years and she asked me how my mom was doing. Grrr, then it hits again. That reality button.  

I went to the store, and am reminded. Oh yes, Mother's Day...

I have not forgotten you Mom. I love you dearly, 

and you are missed oh, so much.

  Your hugs, your words, your laugh, your smile.    

Our coffee "calls", your serving heart, the love you showed to all 

My heart aches and I miss you so much! 

When it hits, that reality button, I am reminded. 

While she is not here and we all miss her like crazy, 

the place she is now, 

she is having the ultimate party.

He loves her more than all of us combined.

She is in good hands.

That gives me peace 

That gives me comfort

That gives me Joy

Have fun Mom,

 I know I will see you again

With Mother's Day coming in the next week, what are some things that your mother taught you that you would like to carry on into your children as they grow?  My mom had this crazy ability to see or hear over the phone whether I was sad, happy, glad, or mad.  Let me tell you, I couldn't hide anything from that woman.  She had an amazing gift.  She never was shaken by the people around her. She had an amazing ability to turn someone's gloomy day into a day full of sunshine, no matter if it was a customer she barely knew, or a family member. She always had a smile on her face and was ready to conquer the world.  She was strong.  I am so thankful for the things she taught me and my children through her gifts.

Let's Pray!  

Dear Lord, 

Thank You for the amazing peace You bring into my life.  You bring such comfort and I am truly amazed in how your presence can change a saddened heart into a heart full of joy.  Thank you for being there for me when I need it most.  I love you. In Jesus' name, Amen

Princess

I never remember feeling like a princess.

I think from the beginning-

I felt like I didn’t matter to anyone- 

felt all alone

Have always felt alone…

Look at me…

I can swim!

Look at me…

I can ride bike!

Look at me…

I hit the ball!

Look at me…

I slid down the hill!

I skated without falling…

I got an A!!!

But no one ever saw me…

What is this? 

Are you speaking 

to me God?

They told me I wasn't

 important enough,

 for You 

to talk to me…

for You to give me a gift or a word or a dream or a vision or a song or a dance….

What is this? 

 You have a song You sing over me????

You want to dance with me????

You like to be with me????

I’m beautiful???

What is this?  I’m Your princess???

Yes, I’m Your princess…..

By Vicki Lynn Rinkenberger

2013

One of "Those" Days

                                        Testing of Your Faith

2 Count it all joy, my brothers,[a] when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;

James 1:2-7

                                       English Standard Version (ESV)

The Definition of Affirmation:the action or process of affirming something or being affirmed.

       HMMMMM.....................

I heard the statement one of "Those" days more than once today, both spoke in 

of course a negative context.  What is one of "those" day? Obviously, yes I know it's a rotten, stinkin', bad day, right?

Is it really bad? or is it just a lot of junk compiling itself on top of each other to make it feel bad? There is no such thing as "bad" day really is there? Again, let's look at the definition:

Definition of Bad=of poor quality; inferior or defective.

I don't think God makes defective days....do you? God, that can put together something as amazing as the human body, God that can place each star in the sky and call them each by name, God that can do all things, God that has made all things, God that can heal all things? No I don't think He makes defective days. In fact He knows how many days you have here on this earth 

before you were even born.  He knows you, he knows everything about you. 

New Living Translation
You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

Psalm 139:16

So what's my point? Why look so deep into something so mundane? If it's not the day itself that is "bad", then what is it exactly? and why does it feel that way sometimes? 

For me, I know that the reason behind "those" days usually derives from some sort of anxiousness or anxiety.  Either things have began to compile, and I now feel overwhelmed, or I have too much to do in a short amount of time, aka.....getting everyone out the door in the morning.  Sometimes everyone else is crabby, and it starts to rub off, or vice versa, sometimes I am crabby and then I am rubbing off (this rarely happens, lol)!  In any of these circumstances, I have a choice.  I have the power to take each circumstance and decide what the outcome will be.  Each circumstance may start out "bad" but I can decide to let it impact me or turn it to a positive or negative light.  I can then ask myself, what can I learn from this?  What can I do next time to make this better?  This is a huge work in progress for me, believe me.  I have to remember to take each day in stride and to give myself grace. (Lots of it)  

Bottom line, there is no such thing as a bad day.  We have the freedom and the choice to make each day, each hour and even each minute a fresh, new, "good" day.  All we need to do is to choose, find things you are thankful for, and go with the flow.  We are not perfect, life will not always be roses and daisies, but we can choose our attitude, and whether or not we have an awesome, outstanding, one of a kind, glorious, fantastic, beautiful, great day or a rotten, stinkin' bad one. You choose. Make it a good one, with purpose!

Lord, help me to remember when my attitude is getting in the way of the beautiful day you have made for me. I welcome the peace and joy that your holy spirit brings.  Help me to choose to look beyond the circumstances that may fall, seek Your guidance and to trust in a positive outcome. Amen.